HUMAS FMIPA – The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Universitas Sumatera Utara (FMIPA USU) has once again achieved national recognition through the outstanding accomplishment of Team IONEX, which secured Third Place in the National Oil Palm Research Competition for University Students and received the Best Poster Award in the Bioenergy Category at the 2026 Pekan Riset Sawit (PERISAI). The event was organized by the Indonesian Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP Sawit) and held at Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta, on July 20–21, 2026.
The awards were presented for the team's innovative research entitled "Synthesis of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch-Based Graphene Quantum Dots (GQD) as a Lithium-Ion Battery Anode to Enhance Electrochemical Performance." The study explores the conversion of oil palm empty fruit bunch waste into Graphene Quantum Dots (GQD) for use as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries, offering the potential to improve electrochemical performance while supporting the development of clean energy technologies and sustainable energy storage systems.
Team IONEX was led by Desti Damai Hati Gea (Chemistry, Class of 2023), with team members Fairutz Dhivany Akbar, Khalya Rosida Amri (both Chemistry, Class of 2023), and Tio Roito Siregar (Chemistry, Class of 2022). The research was supervised by Dr. Ir. Zikri Noer, S.Si., M.Si., a lecturer in the Department of Physics at FMIPA USU.
The achievement came after a highly competitive selection process. Out of 1,433 research proposals submitted by university students from across Indonesia, only 40 proposals were selected to receive research funding. Following the research monitoring and evaluation stage, Team IONEX advanced to the Top 10 national finalists before ultimately winning Third Place and the Best Poster Award in the Bioenergy Category.
The team's supervisor, Dr. Ir. Zikri Noer, S.Si., M.Si., expressed his appreciation for the students' dedication and perseverance throughout the competition.
"This achievement is the result of the students' dedication, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to developing research that is not only scientifically valuable but also beneficial to society. We hope this accomplishment will inspire more FMIPA USU students to actively pursue innovative research and contribute solutions to national challenges, particularly in renewable energy and the sustainable utilization of natural resources," he said.
The Dean of FMIPA Universitas Sumatera Utara also congratulated the team on their success, emphasizing that the achievement reflects the strong research culture continuously fostered within the faculty.
"This accomplishment is a source of pride for FMIPA Universitas Sumatera Utara. Our students' success at a national competition demonstrates that collaboration between students and lecturers can produce impactful innovations. We remain committed to supporting outstanding research that contributes to sustainable development and enhances the nation's competitiveness," the Dean stated.
Beyond its academic significance, Team IONEX's success highlights the enormous potential of transforming oil palm waste into high-value materials that support the global energy transition. The innovation opens new opportunities for developing more environmentally friendly battery technologies while increasing the added value of one of Indonesia's most important agricultural commodities through science and technology.
This achievement further reinforces FMIPA Universitas Sumatera Utara's commitment to producing graduates who excel in research, innovation, and technological development. Guided by the spirit of "IONEX: Smart Energy, High Capacity," the team has demonstrated that creativity, scientific excellence, and collaboration can generate innovative solutions that make meaningful contributions to scientific advancement and national development.
HUMAS FMIPA